Please don’t look at this and think TL;DR. This is an important conversation for agriculture and community safety that needs to be had, and it’s one we seem to be enjoying avoiding.
Recently, two incidents have deeply resonated with me. The first was seeing a photo of farmers operating without helmets, despite the well-known risks associated with quad bikes. The second, much closer to home, involved a father and son going missing while rock fishing near my community. Both events have sparked conversations about the challenges we face in getting people to adopt mandatory safety regulations—regulations that too often are slow to be taken up, even when lives are at stake.
It’s crucial to recognise that dealing with past actions that no longer meet today’s safety standards is not just about compliance—it’s about integrity. We need to continue advocating for a safer, more sustainable future in farming and other high-risk activities like rock fishing. By doing so, we protect lives and contribute to the positive evolution of our communities as a whole.
In the world of farming, where the landscape is constantly changing, adapting to new safety standards is crucial. I’ve spent years sharing the beauty of farm life, including images and videos of our team not wearing helmets. At that time wearing helmets while operating quad bikes, was not mandatory.
The reality is, farming practices once considered standard are now seen through a different lens—one that rightly prioritises safety. The challenge comes when we have to reconcile our past actions with current expectations. How do we continue to advocate for the industry while acknowledging that we’ve evolved?
The answer lies in transparency and leading by example. When questioned about past practices, I don’t shy away. Instead, I use it as an opportunity to educate and engage. Farming, like any industry, must adapt to changing regulations, and I’m committed to ensuring our practices align with the highest safety standards.
Then and Now – quad bikes to 4×4
However, it’s disheartening to see how long it can take for these necessary changes to be fully embraced. The farming industry is one of the most dangerous sectors to work in, yet simple, life-saving measures, like wearing helmets, are still not universally adopted. This resistance to change can have fatal consequences.
Rock fishing is one of Australia’s most dangerous pastimes, causing 241 drowning deaths from 2004 to 2024.
The optics of ignoring these safety measures are concerning. How did we reach a point where such a photo, showing an illegal and unsafe practice, could be publicly shared without a second thought? Is it arrogance? Is it naivety? Who knows? What we do know is that the solution lies in understanding the zeitgeist and reading the room. We can ghost the forward-thinking people in our industry, gaslight them, or label them as difficult. But when we have the courage, we can embrace them and the changes they champion.
It’s crucial to recognise that dealing with past actions that no longer meet today’s safety standards is not just about compliance—it’s about integrity. We need to continue advocating for a safer, more sustainable future in farming and other high-risk activities like rock fishing. By doing so, we protect lives and contribute to the positive evolution of our communities as a whole.
#FarmSafety #QuadBikeSafety #RockFishing #CommunitySafety #HelmetUp #SafetyFirst #Agriculture #FishingSafety #SafetyRegulations #ProtectOurFarmers
Great article in SMH that included tips for safer fishing
Rock fishing deaths_ What can be done to make rock fishing more safe